USEFUL INFORMATION

Visa Requirements
Attention of the participants is drawn to the fact that citizens of some countries need visa to enter the Czech Republic. Checking this requirement while making the travel arrangements is highly advisable.
The list of visa requirement for the individual countries may be found here. The list of Czech Embassies abroad may be found at the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs site.The Visa Application Forms may be downloaded from here.

Weather
The climate in the Czech Republic is a mixture of ocean and continental influences, with four year seasons. The Czech Republic lies in a temperate climate zone and with pleasantly mild summers and winters, with only moderate amounts of precipitation. This landlocked country in the centre of Europe does not abound in extremes. The average annual temperature ranges from 5.5°C to 10°C, but temperatures are lower in the mountains. The average temperature in the summer varies between 23°C and 29°C, and the average temperature in the winter varies between -11°C and 0°C.

Mariánské Lázně sits at an altitude of 560 m to 640 m above sea level, spa lies at an altitude of 630 m. The spa town enjoy a sub-alpine climate. The average annual temperature is 6.4° C (the average day temperature is ca. 11°C in May – it can be 5°C, but also 20°C). Average annual rainfall is about 700 mm (average rainfall is 47 mm in May) and average annual hours of sunshine is 1670 (in May 7 hours of sun). Average relative humidity is 67 % in May (the lowest during the year).

The above data may be viewed as a quantification of the general rule. The actual conditions may change rapidly and significantly differ from the above average values.

For the actual information on weather forecast visit Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, Weather-forecast or BBC web sites. The climate in Marianske Lazne is a bit colder than the average for the Czech Republic is.

Currency & Exchange
Although the Czech Republic is a member of the European Union, it is not so far a member of the Eurozone and for this reason, the euro is not the official currency here (yet despite this it is possible to exchange euro for the Czech currency without any problems).

The official currency in the Czech Republic is Czech crown.
• Czech crown (česká koruna) – Czech symbol “Kč”, international symbol “CZK”
• 1 CZK = 100 hellers, Czech symbol “h” – there are no longer heller coins in the Czech Republic
• Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 CZK
• Banknotes: 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 CZK

Foreign currency exchange is available at the airport, banks, exchange offices and at the most hotels throughout the city. Major international payment cards are widely accepted for payment in hotels, restaurants and shops. Paying by cash in euro is also possible in some taxis, restaurants and shops, but the change will be returned in CZK. Do not change money on the street.

There are relatively large differences between exchange offices. Some of them do not charge a fee for the exchange, but have a worse exchange rate. Some exchange offices shall indicate an excellent exchange rate, but usually it is valid for exchange of a larger foreign currency amount.

Before you decide to change your money, read carefully all information (especially those that are written in small print below list of courses). The best idea is to first ask how much CZK you will get for your foreign currency amount and calculate the actual exchange rate yourself.

For the official exchange rates visit the Czech National Bank web site.

Exchange offices in Prague with a good exchange rate are e.g. eXchange and Alfa Prague. Here you can find a list of the exchange offices in Marianske Lazne. (We are sorry web sites are in Czech language only).

Useful links

Czech Republic and Prague:

Entertainment Tickets in Prague:

Transport & Public Transport:

CSA, Vaclav Havel Airport Praha: (Prague´s Aeroport was renamed in October 2012)

Marianske Lazne: